The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-01-19
FOR CORRUPTION AT THE POLLS.
Mcdonald, OF Jackson, Found Guilty OF
Bribery and Unseated by the Senate.

Mcdonald, OF jackson, Found Guilty of
Bribery and Unseated by the Senate.
After hours of expectancy had passed by
and two duh sessions had been dragged out
to weary length, Senator Bailey at O'Clock
yesterday afternoon presented the report Of
the Committee on Elections in the Brana-
MANN cDOnald case. The public did not seem
so much interested in the event, or at
least had doubted whether it would come to
pass, as the gallery contained comp paratively
few spectators at the time the report was
made. A number of visitors were on the
floor, however, and all betrayed deep inter
est when Senator Bailey finally came in, took
his seat and presented the report. He said
that Senators French and Sears had not been
present when the report was finished, and
that he understood the minority report would
be presented tomorrow morning. The ma
jority report was as follows:
Your Committee on Election having under con-
sioeratlon the matter OF the contested election
William N Mcdonald, contestee, for the Office OF
State Senator from the counties OF jackson and
Lawrence respectfully report that they have care
papers referred to them sand taken the oral tesi-
mOny OF such witnesses as have come before
them regarding the matter in controversy. And
your committee finds that on the 18th, 18th, 18th
and 10th days of December, 1885, at the Clerk IS
town, pursuant TO the commissions issued to them
as justices OF the Peace, Mills s. Reeves and James
W. Allen took the testimony in writ
ing OF large number of witnesses
touching the matters stated in the complaint
1t was made to appear to
your committee that during the taking OF the tes-
timony the contestee desired TO introduce
witnesses TO prove that the contestor was guilty
OF bribery, which was refused by said Justices of
want il being attempt to prove the guilt of the
contestor, there being nc charge or accusation
fled against him. but that afterward the contestee
took the dispositions OF large number OF
witnesses before 0. II. Montgomery, a notary
public, at Seymour; Ind, by which he
contestor. Your committee has carefully ex-
amined and considered ali of sad dispositions,
and finds that no such charge has been made bv
any one against said contestor, nor has any fact
been proved against him. Upon the whole case
your committee finds
/. That the contestee, William n. Mcdonald,
State Senator from the Senatorial district com
give to voters OF said Senatorial district
and offer to give to them bribes OF large
sums of money TO secure his election at the
November election, 1856, to the Office of State
Senator from the district aforesaid, which will
particularly appear by reference to the testi
mony Of W: Nj. Mcclellan, William Champion,
Richard Madden, John B. Able, Alfred Guthrie
and George lid, which statements were wholly
uudenied by the said Mcdonald, and that the said
William N. Mcdonald thereby has disqualified
himself for holding the Office OF Senator during
the term for which he was elected.
That the time of said election and for at least
ten days or two weeks previous thereto, it was a
matter OF common rumor and generally and pub
hcly known by the voters OF said Senatorial dis
trict that the said VIM. N. Mcdonald was corruptly
using money and intended to use money in the
manner Aforesaid for the purpose of securing his
election TO the Office OF Senator, as will be by
reference 10 the testimony of Herman Drumming
and Frank Bransman, and because OF these facts,
aud the further fact that the contestOr. Frauk
Branaman, received the next highest number of
votes cast at said election for the Senator afore-
said, that the said Frank Branaman was duly
elected TO said Office OF Senator and is now en-
titled TO the same.
Wherefore your committee recommends the
adoption of the following
Resolved, That il is the judgment of the Senate
OF the State of Indiana that William N. MELON
aid, who is now holding a seat in the Senate as
Senator from the counties of Jackson and Law
renee, Indiana, has disqualified himself for hold
ing the said seat OF Senator during the term for
which he was elected by giving and Offering to
give bribes OF large sums OF money 70 secure his
election 70 said ofbce Of Senator, and that Frank